WAYCROSS, GA (October 6, 2015) - As the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series prepares for its richest event in series history during next weekend’s 35th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by NAPA Auto Parts, the national tour is already looking ahead to 2016.

The nation’s premier national tour for dirt late models has unveiled an aggressive 2016 event schedule, which includes 47 events at 31 different venues across 19 states. The 2016 schedule will feature 13 events that will pay $12,000-to-win, along with 12 crown jewel events that will pay $20,000-to-win (or more).

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will once again kick off its season with a tripleheader at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA. The Georgia Boot “Super Bowl of Racing” will open on Thursday, February 4th with a $7,000-to-win program. The action on Friday, February 5th will be highlighted by a $10,000-to-win event, before capping off the weekend with $15,000-to-win finale on Saturday, February 6th.

From there, the series will travel to East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. The 40th Annual Winternationals will get underway with an open practice on Sunday, February 7th. Racing action will begin on Monday, February 8th – followed by six straight nights of racing, concluding on Saturday, February 13th.

“We want to welcome three new venues in 2016: Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA, East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL, and Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY. We’d like to thank all of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series track promoters who see the value in our events. With their support, we’re able to raise all the Saturday events to a minimum of $12,000-to-win/$1,000-to-start in 2016,” stated Assistant Series Director, Rick Schwallie.